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Developing Programs for English Language Learners: Plan Outline


Resource Materials for Planning and Self-Assessments

Part II: Developing ELL Programs

Plan Outline

This section of a district's ELL plan often contains an introduction to the document. Therefore, the district may choose to include acknowledgments, relevant laws and regulations, assurances of compliance with regulatory standards, and background information in this section. In drafting the specifics of this section, the following questions may be used to ensure that key points are addressed

Educational Theory and Approach

  • Does the ELL plan describe the district's educational approach (e.g., ESL, transitional bilingual education, structured English immersion, dual language, etc.) for educating ELL students?

  • Is the educational approach chosen by the district recognized as a sound approach by experts in the field, or recognized as a legitimate educational strategy to ensure that ELL students acquire English language proficiency and are provided meaningful access to the educational program?

Educational Goals

  • Are the educational goals of the district's program of services for ELL students described?

  • Is there a goal for English language proficiency?

  • Is there a goal for mastery of subject matter content?

  • Are the goals measurable?

  • Are they sufficiently objective so that they can be evaluated over time?

  • Are the long-term educational goals for ELL students comparable to the education goals for non-ELL students?

  • Do these long-term goals prepare ELL students to meet district goals for its overall education program?
DID YOU KNOW?
right arrow There are approximately 3½ million ELL students in the United States.
right arrow The number of ELL students enrolled in public and nonpublic schools in the United States continues to increase each year.
right arrow The reported number of ELL students in K-12 public schools comprises 8% of the total public school enrollment in the United States.
right arrow All states enroll ELL students.
right arrow The states with the largest reported number of ELL students are California (1,381,383), Texas (513,634), and Florida (288,603).
right arrow The states with the largest reported percentage of ELL students are Alaska (26%), New Mexico (24%), and California (22%).
Source: National Clearinghouse for Bilingual Education (1997 data)



   
Last Modified: 01/16/2020